Wake Up to Money

Danni speaks to retailers returning to work as facemasks become mandatory on public transport in England from June 15. Plus, we catch up with Co-op boss Steve Murrells who has been outspoken on racism following the death of George Lloyd in the US.

How can bosses keen to display their anti-racist credentials make meaningful change inside their own companies? And why do so many big companies still have all white boards?
The boss of Waterstones, James Daunt talks to Danni Hewson about managing a company through a crisis and what the high street will look like afterwards as shoppers begin to return.
And the heads of Loganair and Southampton airport give their views on the quarantine and what travel is going to look like this summer.
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Felicity Hannah talks to Steven Bartlett, boss of branding agency The Social Chain about how companies have responded to the Black Lives Matter campaign. How sincere is their response?
Plus your travel questions answered as the government so far seems to be sticking with its controversial quarantine plan. She also talks to Anna Blackburn, boss of Beaverbrooks on how the jewellery chain has been handling the Coronavirus crisis.
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As the sun shone and some stores opened their doors, did we go out spending?
Footfall was up and huge queues formed outside Ikea's stores in England. So as more shops and some sporting events re-opened, Felicity Hannah looks at how yesterday went.
Plus the test case that will decide if thousands of businesses should get an insurance payout after Coronavirus forced them to close. And the return of horseracing. Felicity hears from a trainer whose horse ran in the first racing meet since the lockdown began.
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Also in today's show:
A one billion pound fund opens today, almost three years on from the Grenfell Tower disaster, to help those stuck with flats covered in unsafe cladding. But is it enough? One expert will explains why she thinks it won't solve the problem.
Felicity also investigates why some of us are trapped in data and device poverty at a time when we need to be linked up to the internet more than ever.
And we may be in the middle of a pandemic but that doesn't stop Brexit trundling on. Talks resume with the EU this week. So is this the right or wrong time to be thrashing out the details?
With Felicity Hannah.
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More than 100 MPs call on the chancellor to extend the grant scheme for the self-employed, saying many will not be able to work once it ends. Felicity Hannah asks two business people how they will cope financially, as the government begins to scale back support.
Plus - President Trump has signed an executive order targeting big social media companies, like Twitter. But does he risk biting the hand that feeds?

Danni hears from businesses who still don't know when they'll be able to reopen again, and asks how they're coping with the uncertainty. She explores the issues at Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi; and finds out about a new launch into space.

Danni talks to two retailers about how they're preparing to reopen in June; she finds out how the UK property market has suddenly seen a big surge; and she discusses plans for a new nuclear power station.

Open-air markets, car showrooms, and all other non-essential businesses get the green light to open their doors again in June. Danni asks what impact this will have for those businesses, as well as the UK economy. Plus - she finds out more about 'Project Birch', and the impact that lockdown is having on those who are poised to enter the world of work .

Danni talks to small businesses who are struggling to access support; she finds out more about the rise of video conferencing app, Zoom; and learns how professional football is facing a new economic reality.

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak says a significant recession is on the way. Danni investigates whether lots of people are furloughed in zombie jobs that simply won't exist when our economy re-opens. Or - as the chancellor suggests - will things bounce back quickly?
She also hears from the boss of luxury car maker Bentley which has brought just under half of its UK workforce back to the factory floor. And she meets the boss who's now running a call centre from her workers homes.
Plus Wake Up To Money's learned there's a shortage of the plastic being used to make the screens currently keeping lots of workers safe.
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Danni Hewson will find out what businesses make of the PM's announcement last night. Do businesses have enough information to re-open and will staff feel safe enough to return? And what does it mean for businesses and workers now the pace of change seems to be different in different parts of the UK?
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Danni chats to the owners of a coffee roasting business and a wedding dress shop about their work life on lockdown, and how they plan to emerge on the other side. Will it be back to the daily grind?
She also talks to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development about the government's furlough scheme, which the CIPD wants extending because they fear a cliff edge and spiralling unemployment if it's not made more flexible.

The BBC's seen draft government proposals on how to get us all back to work. Plans include staggered shifts, cutting down on hot desking and relaxing the two metre rule in favour of other protective measures in workplaces where social distancing is not possible.
Hear from the manufacturing, logistics, travel and PR sectors.
Plus...is our cold storage full?
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Plus hairdresser Nicola Roberts on how she's coping after her business had to furlough all its staff.
Retail analyst Bryan Roberts lost his job and is now stacking shelves at Tesco. He tells Sean what it's been like for the workers keeping us fed.
And why are small business grants taking so long to be handed out? The deputy leader of Birmingham City Council tells Sean what it's been like behind the scenes.

Sean talks to workplace mental health first aid trainer Sarah Long and Jasmine Whitbread, the boss of London business group London First.
Also your stories of what the lockdown has meant for your working life.
Join in the conversation on social media: #wakeuptomoney

The boss of tech company WeTransfer talks about social media, fake news and how the internet is handling all the increased traffic during the crisis. Boss of the British Chambers of Commerce Adam Marshall takes your questions. And in tough times like this, should companies like Tesco be paying dividends to shareholders? An expert in corporate social responsibility gives her view.
With Sean Farrington
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Plus dairy farmers tell Sean why the Coronavirus crisis means they're having to dump huge quantities of milk with suppliers not turning up to pick up their orders.
One of the first fashion designers to work with Debenhams gives his reaction as the store prepares to fille for administration
Benefits and money advice from expert Lee Healey
And apprentice winner Alana Spencer on how she's transformed her cake company to keep going through the crisis.
With listener's top tips to help you sleep if the crisis is making you anxious.

Banks are told to cut us all some slack on loans and credit card bills but charities are struggling and businesses say they still can't get their hands on government-backed loans. Wake Up To Money hears from two opera singers who've lost work but found new ways to make cash - with a blast of opera to end the week on a high note...

Spencer Matthews is an entrepreneur who starred on Made In Chelsea. He talks about dealing with the supermarkets in the middle of the coronavirus crisis, doing business without shaking hands, and Thomas the Tank Engine. Also this morning Sean speaks to Citizens Advice about the practicalities of getting Universal Credit and Wake up To Money listeners come up with some inventive ways to save a struggling plant seller

Banks have suspended dividends but will that free up extra lending for businesses across the UK in need of emergency funding? We hear from Vikas Shah, the boss of a textile firm that supplies something crucial for an NHS desperately trying to increase capacity - bed sheets for thousands of extra beds. We also hear from the boss of Newquay airport on whether the aviation industry needs a bailout, and whether it should get one.

Sean hears from the boss of eBay about how the platform is stopping its 26 million UK customers from buying goods that have to be collected after police stopped a driver on a 220 mile trip to pick up some windows bought on the site. Also we look at Carluccio's and BrightHouse going into administration and Johny Cassidy is back to explain furloughing.

The government says a consortium of companies will help build thousands more ventilators. Sean looks at how easy it is for a company which makes one product to suddenly start manufacturing something completely different. The boss of Burger King UK talks to Sean about the impact the virus has had on business, staff and customers. And Sarah Long, a mental health first aid trainer gives her top tips on supporting our co-workers in this uniquely difficult time. How do we know if someone is struggling if we're all working from home? Even if you are in work it can be difficult to maintain the usual social contact as all distance ourselves from others. And how can we help colleagues who're having a tough time?
Join in the conversation on social media using the hashtag #wakeuptomoney.

Schools close from the end of today for all but the children of key workers. So what are your rights if you now have to juggle work with childcare? Or if you're forced to work from home? Plus the UK boss of the workplace messaging tool Slack gives his insights about how to get the best of out of teams which have to work remotely. How can companies improve communication and boost morale when we're stuck at home in a time of crisis?
Plus, we investigate the question so many listeners have asked us: How will those emergency government grants for small businesses work? And how soon can they be accessed?
With Felicity Hannah.
Join in the conversation: #wakeuptomoney

There's been warnings from Boris Johnson who says Coronavirus infection rates look likely to soar as the country moves into the "delay" phase of its action plan. Workers with a persistent cough or temperature have been told they must stay at home for seven days. So how prepared are we as a workforce? Felicity Hannah looks into how to make the best of working from home if you're one of the many who'll be doing it for the first time. Also, how to cope financially if your income is dropping because you're self-isolating or off sick.
And she'll ask how worried we should all be after global stock markets plunged as investors panicked about the Coronavirus.
Join in the conversation on social media: #wakeuptomoney

As the World Health Organisation declares Coronavirus a pandemic, Sean Farrington investigates whether the new Chancellor's £12bn package of financial support is enough to help small businesses affected.. Two businesses struggling to weather the storm will tell us what they make of the measures.
And as always, Wake Up To Money will give you everything you need to understand the budget; how it affects you and who the winners and losers are. With money for roads, business rate freezes and a new mayor for West Yorkshire, this is apparently the biggest budget giveaway since 1992. So is it now fine to borrow money to invest? And will it help us weather the current economic storm?
Join in the conversation on social media: #wakeuptomoney

Sean hears from three small businesses hit hard by Coronavirus, including a Chinese restaurant and organisers of murder mystery weekends and cycling events. He finds out what the Chancellor could offer in today's budget to help them keep going.
There's also experts on hand to explain what we can expect from Rishi Sunak's first budget and what it means in real terms for you. Will the Coronavirus have thrown off Boris Johnson's big spending plans?
In what is already a tough environment, airlines are now drastically cutting capacity. Sean investigates how the industry's been affected and what it means for your business trip or summer holiday.
Join in the conversation on social media: #wakeuptomoney

The whole of Italy's on lockdown, as the World Health Organsiation says the threat of a coronavirus pandemic is now "very real". Sean finds out what it means for businesses and the economy.
Worldwide, fears over the virus outbreak and the falling oil price have wreaked havoc on stock markets. We'll hear from markets analysts, and also from former Bank of England Governor, Mervyn King.

A fifth of the workforce could be either absent or off sick if the Coronavirus epidemic spreads according to the government's worst case scenario.
Could Britain's economy cope?
Sean's live at a wind turbine factory on the Humber estuary for the latest in our Dual Britannia series. Can clean energy and new technology boost the economies in areas like this? And what can the government do to help?
Meet the boss and the apprentices who're now trainee Wind Turbine Technicians.

Workplace hygiene as Coronavirus fears grow. Also why have buy now pay later services like Klarna expanded more than any other online payment system? And as the nitty gritty of the EU trade talks begin...what can we expect? A veteran who's helped broker many a trade deal tells Sean and Mickey what will be going on behind closed doors over the next ten months and beyond.

Sean and Mickey look at home secretary Priti Patel's claims that more than 8 million economically inactive people could be helped back to work, to help boost the workforce after strict new immigration laws come in.
Also, the new £20 note is out today and we've got one. And why are truckers being denied toilet breaks?

We talk to the building and the catering industry to see how the new immigration system will impact on them. Plus advice for businesses flooded out by the recent storms from a Cockermouth shop owner who's been through this twice now. And have you had a pay rise this year? According to official figures released yesterday wages crept above pre-crisis highs for the first time last year. Sean and Mickey chat to one economist who disagrees.

Sean and Mickey discuss the future of rail services in Britain following the announcement that Northern will be taken into public ownership. Chancellor Sajid Javid is throwing his support behind HS2 project - is it now more likely the high speed rail scheme will get the green light?
Mickey and Sean also discuss the ongoing situation with the coronavirus outbreak in China and how it impacts on businesses and the economy.

Could Northern rail be stripped of its franchise after complaints of delays, cancellations and overcrowding? Also, what does the latest China travel advice mean for business? And, we look at the fallout from the government decision to include Huawei components in the new 5G communications network.

Sean and Louise weigh up Huawei's potential role in parts of the UK's 5G network; they look back on the legacy of basketball legend, Kobe Bryant; and they learn about technology being used in the city of York to get more people to shop there.

Felicity Hannah and Mickey Clark consider the future of the HS2 project; they hear about a growing trend among some employers to try to use tech to manage the pressure on their staff; and Vince Cable talks to the programme about reforms to the pre-pack insolvency process.

One in five internet users in the UK is a child. But they're often using games, apps and websites that are not designed for them. A new code is published today by the Information Commissioner and by the end of next year it's expected to be law. It's aimed at those who make games, software, apps and social media platforms and will require them put children's privacy and safety first. Sean &amp; Mickey look at what the problem is and how the Information Commissioner's Office plans to tackle it.
Plus the real cost of "presenteeism". Why are so many of us coming to work when we're struggling with mental health problems.
And what next in the perennial global problem of how best to tax the tech titans? France has now put its plans to levy a 3% tax on the revenues of giants like Google and Amazon on hold after the US threatened to impose tariffs on French products.

The latest on Flybe with the woman who was there when it all began, an aviation policy expert and the representative of UK railways. Plus a former Twitter boss on work life balance. Download and subscribe on the BBC Sounds app.

Sean and Louise hear about the wet weather causing big problems for this year's crops. Plus the boss of Rolls Royce cars on exporting and what legal protection for 'ethical vegans' means for employers.

Danni and Mickey speak to Juergen Maier, former CEO of Siemens UK, and Kevin Brennan, departing CEO of Quorn, about their business legacy, the changes they've seen and, as bosses based in the north of England, the future of the Northern Powerhouse.

In short post-Christmas episode of Wake Up To Money Sean and Mickey look at why the outgoing Bank of England boss is warning on climate change. They hear about the struggles the high street has faced over the past decade and look into whether Prosecco is losing a bit of its sparkle.

Highlights of Wake Up To Money's interviews with big bosses and business leaders from across 2019. Featuring some of the biggest names in UK and World business including Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone, and Alison Rose of RBS.

Former Thomas Cook staff say they're 'bewildered' at being refused Government benefits. Plus the farmer who says flooding could cost him millions and a former member of the Monetary Policy Committee on the priorities for the new Bank of England Governor

Sean and Louise are joined by panel of small businesses to find out what issues matter to them most following the election result.
They also discuss the growing influence of China on international sport and the conflict between commercial gain in the country and freedom of speech.

There’s a Championship 'bubble waiting to burst' with clubs posting record losses in a Premier League 'gamble'.
Also the company giving staff "hangover days", calls for better regulation of cannabis based products and how the pub industry might finally be recovering.

The chancellor, Sajid Javid, tells Wake Up to Money what his party's plans are for business and the economy.
You can go back to previous Wake Up To Money podcasts to listen to John McDonnell from Labour; the Scottish National Party's Kirsty Blackman and Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats.

Sergey Brin and Larry Page founded Google in a garage in 1998. They've handed over day to day control of the sprawling Alphabet empire. Also we look at Christmas shopping habits, diversity on boards and how adverts can rush you into rash decisions.

John McDonell, the man who wants to take over in the Treasury, tells Wake Up To Money whether he'd bail out British firms, the energy price cap and Labour's plan for business rates. Sean Farrington finds out how businesses in London Bridge are dealing with a second terror attack in just over two years and we look at the growing pressure on investors to go green.

Following the row over changes to contracts at Asda, Sean and Louise look at how retail employment is changing. They also discuss a lack of BAME representation on company boards, and get to grips with the big numbers involved in a boxing match involving two YouTube stars.

Sean's in Leeds to talk about investment in the region ahead of speeches by the two men vying to be the next Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mickey's looking at M&amp;S and Sainsbury's and we hear about a massive shake up in shipping - an industry that carries 90% of all the world's trade.

England's through to the final of the Rugby World Cup. The tournament's a massive deal for Japanese businesses and the economy there, but UK businesses are also seeing the benefits - from beer to sausages to merch to flights.

Sean and Mickey talk about Twitter's move to ban all political advertising worldwide; what UK businesses want from whoever gets into power at the next general election; and they discuss the growing trend in retailers offering store credit.

Sports Direct has called for an inquiry into Nike and Adidas's treatment of suppliers. Plus - the boss of Thomas Cook appears before MPs. And what the food and drink industry makes of the proposed Brexit deal so far.

Boris Johnson and the German chancellor have spoken about the proposals he put forward to the EU - but a No 10 source says she made clear a deal based on them was "overwhelmingly unlikely". The EU's top official has warned the UK against a "stupid blame game". So with talks on a knife-edge, Sean and Mickey look at how businesses are preparing for an uncertain outcome.

Also...finally some good news! Workers celebrate as the Belfast shipyard which built the Titanic is saved from collapse. And a former boss of Thomas Cook tells us why he thinks we should be paying more for our holidays.
With Sean Farrington and Mickey Clarke.

Sean and Louise hear how the job hunt's going for one former staff member. Plus Wake Up To Money hears from businesses attending a government "Get Ready for Brexit" roadshow.
And as the Conservative Party Conference gets underway, what is the message from business to the MP's gathering in Manchester?

The British Chambers of Commerce has downgraded its growth forecast - even if a Brexit deal is achieved. Danni and Mickey look at the figures as the PM heads to Brussels. And, what impact will the Saudi oilfield attacks have on global supply?

Danni and Mickey discuss the continuing financial success story of Friends, 25 years after it was launched.
And Brexit's never far away. They speak to Labour Party donor and Brexit supporter, John Mills, the founder of JML.

It's a year until the Tokyo Olympics will be getting underway. The British Olympics Association has told us it could be one of the most expensive yet.
A number of sports will be making their debut at the games - one of them is competitive climbing. But who sponsors a brand new sport, and how do they get funding?

LGBT Pride events have been taking place all around the world this summer. As well as being celebrations of inclusivity and diversity, they've become big business.
In 2019 conversations have turned to the increasing role big corporations are playing. Lots of big brands have added rainbows to their logos or released limited edition products this year. But some companies have been criticised for just changing their logos without actually doing much in terms of their corporate culture to support LGBT rights - which has been termed 'pinkwashing'.

Sean and Mickey look at the plight of Bury FC which could be kicked out of the football league for failing to provide information about the state of its finances. Bury's not the only club with financial problems. Why are so many in trouble and what's the solution?

In a wide-ranging interview, Sean sits down with Youtube star, Elijah Quashie, aka the Chicken Connoisseur, to talk about how he got into reviewing chicken shops; the role social media plays in people's lives; and the problem of knife crime in the UK.

Sean and Mickey talk to the boss of Parkrun about how it makes money when it’s millions of members run for free. Plus cycling and extreme competitions which see runners dodging obstacles from fire to barbed wire.

Sean Farrington and Louise Cooper weigh up disruption at Heathrow as talks continue to avert industrial action by some of the airport's workers. They also take a look at the growing cost of rural crime, and find out how to become a 'kidfluencer'.

Sean Farrington and Louise Cooper consider President Trump's plan to impose more tariffs on China as Bank of England governor Mark Carney says trade tensions will hurt growth. They also dissect the world of eSports, and get the latest from Whaley Bridge.

Danni Hewson and Louise Cooper look at the economic impact of bad summer weather. Plus, Heathrow is about to unveil the plans for its third runway, but how do you deliver a major infrastructure project?

Sean and Mickey talk to the boss of O2.
And for those of us who find there's too much month left at the end of our money, Felicity Hannah looks into a scheme that allows workers to access their salary as they earn it.

Sean and Mickey ask what leadership struggles could mean for business. They also look back at what's been a big week with the collapse of Jamie's Italian and British Steel, as well as the ongoing Huawei saga.

Danni and Mickey shine a light on the growing problem of vinyl fraud. They also discuss the latest indicators of how the UK economy's performing, and how information and communication technology has become a bigger problem for the environment than aviation. That's according to a new report. They talk to its author.

Boeing has admitted for the first time that a failure in their plane's anti-stall system was a factor in last month's Ethiopian Airlines crash. We'll be speaking to the former head of the Federal Aviation Administration in the US about what happens now.

Businesses react to Theresa May's news that she will seek another Brexit extension. Plus, why is budget airline Flybe cancelling so many flights? And Sean and Mickey will talk to the boss of a tech company harnessing data about you and your driving habits.

Sean Farrington and Louise Cooper look at how the social media giants are policing content following the Christchurch terror attack. Plus, the latest on Brexit and we hear from the boss of hotel chain Travelodge.

We've also got the 2nd half of our interview with the former boss of Lidl, where we'll be talking about how they changed to cater for the British customer, and of course, about the famous middle aisles.

Horse racing is back on at some racecourses after an outbreak of Equine Flu. Danni and Mickey talk to the boss of one of them. And it's a tough job but someone's got to do it...Danni's been taste testing at the annual Ice Cream and Gelato Expo in Harrogate.

We travel to a distillery in the Scottish borders to find out how Brexit is impacting the UK's biggest food and drink export - whisky. Sean Farrington speaks to the founder of the Annandale distillery as well as a whisky maker - and descendant of Robert the Bruce - who has started stockpiling ahead of March 29th. We'll also hear from the head of Scotland Food and Drink.